Using Reflexology As a Treatment For Back Pain
By Jan Griffiths [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jan_Griffiths]
The practice of reflexology is a non invasive holistic therapy based upon stimulating the body's own healing process by applying firm pressure to specific reflex points on the feet, with some practitioners using the hands as well. Each of these reflex points relate to a certain part or organ of the body and therefore the entire body is mapped out, with the left foot relating to the left hand side and the right foot to the right hand side of the body.
Reflexology has its origins in China and Egypt many thousands of years ago but the reflexology we see today was started in 1913 by Dr William H. Fitzgerald who researched body zones and how application of pressure in one part of a zone could influence another area within the same zone. Research into Zone Therapy, as it was known, evolved over the twentieth century and was refined by Eunice D. Ingham who discovered that the feet contain seven thousand nerve endings and were therefore the most appropriate part of the body to treat, her treatment method became known as the Ingham Compression Method of Reflexology.
As with many alternative massage therapies, there is no actual proof that reflexology works but many clinical trials have shown that it can be of benefit in treating all sorts of conditions and has been shown to be effective when dealing with back pain. During a treatment the practitioner will work the entire surface of both the feet paying particular attention to tender or congested (known as gritty) areas as these represent parts of your body which are out of balance and painful. In some cases the hands will be treated but usually only in the case of extremely tender feet or missing limbs, this is because the surface area of the feet is greater therefore more effective. The treatment should not feel unpleasant as it is similar to a massage therapy and you should feel relaxed during and after the procedure, the pressure applied is not painful and is firm enough to be tolerated by those of us who are ticklish. There are no after effects apart from feeling relaxed and you will probably enjoy a good nights' sleep. Reflexology improves body circulation and cleanses the system from impurities and toxins so it is advisable to drink plenty of water afterwards to help expel them from your system.
Although reflexology is an alternative massage therapy, it is amongst one of the heavyweights in terms of reputation and effectiveness and many of us with varying conditions, including back pain, would no doubt benefit from one or more sessions.
Jan Griffiths maintains a [http://www.backpainreliefblog.org/]regular blog about chronic back pain, and has written many articles specifically on [http://www.backpainreliefblog.org/treatments/upper-back-pain-relief/]upper back pain relief.
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